3 weeks ago
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CEBU CITY — The Office of the Ombudsman has denied the motion for reconsideration of dismissed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, upholding its previous ruling that found him guilty of nepotism and grave misconduct.
The anti-graft office reaffirmed its Sept. 9, 2024 decision that ruled Rama's appointments of his wife's brothers, Elmer and Gomer Mandanat, to government positions violated civil service regulations.
"No less than the Constitution sanctifies the principle that public office is a public trust, and enjoins all public officers and employees to serve with the highest degree of responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency," read a portion of the Ombudsman's order dated Jan. 15, 2025, but obtained by reporters last week.
With the denial of his appeal, Rama remains permanently disqualified from holding any government post.
The ruling also enforces his dismissal from service, cancellation of eligibility, and forfeiture of retirement benefits, except for accrued leave credits.
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Supreme Court petition
On Feb. 10, 2025, Rama filed a petition for mandamus and prohibition before the Supreme Court, seeking a temporary restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction against the Ombudsman's ruling.
He argued that he had no personal involvement in the selection process of his in-laws and that their qualifications had been vetted by the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO), as well as the accounting and budget management offices, before he signed the appointment papers.
Rama also maintained that his extended family was too large for him to keep track of every relative employed in government.
He noted that the appointments occurred during a period of personnel transition following the death of mayor Edgardo Labella, during which he acted in good faith in signing numerous appointment documents.
However, the Ombudsman rejected these arguments, stating that as the appointing authority, Rama bore full responsibility for the appointments. The office stressed that nepotism is a form of corruption that must be eradicated to maintain public trust.
Nepotism charges
The complaint against Rama was filed by Jonel Sacedo, also known as Inday Josa Chongbian Osmeña, who alleged that Rama engaged in nepotistic appointments by appointing his in-laws to positions in the city government.
HRDO records show that Elmer was appointed as a process server under the Office of the Mayor, while Gomer was appointed as an administrative aide at Cebu City Medical Center.
The Ombudsman noted that these appointments fell within the third civil degree of affinity, making them clear violations of anti-nepotism rules.
Additionally, the Ombudsman ruled that the subsequent reappointments of the Mandanats under different administrations did not negate the nepotistic nature of their initial appointments.
The ruling specifically pointed out that Gomer's later appointment under the Sangguniang Panlungsod and Elmer's later designation as Private Secretary II, a confidential position exempt from nepotism rules, did not absolve Rama of liability for their original hiring.
Comeback bid
Following the Ombudsman's decision, Rama contested the ruling and has since sought legal remedies.
In October 2024, he filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the cancellation of his Certificate of Candidacy.
Subsequently, on Oct. 22, 2024, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Comelec's resolution that disqualified him from running in the 2025 polls.
As a result of the Supreme Court's TRO, the Comelec included Rama's name in the official list of candidates for the 2025 Cebu City mayoral race, as released on Jan. 8.
This inclusion indicates that, pending a final decision on his disqualification case, Rama is currently allowed to run for mayor in the May 2025 polls.
